Piggly Wiggly owner accepts George Huntley Award

By John Faucher

Pete Butch, owner of Butch’s Piggly Wiggly in New London, received the 2019 George Huntley Memorial Award at Hatten Stadium on Friday, July 12.

The American Legion Clippers baseball team presents the annual award in honor of the late George Huntley, who actively volunteered in the community and was a cornerstone of American Legion baseball in New London for many years.

The award is given to an individual who shares in Huntley’s spirit of volunteerism and support for the team.

Pete Butch thought he was simply going to a ballgame to watch his son Brian throw the honorary first pitch in the Clippers baseball game against Clintonville.

“We asked Brian if he could be here to throw out the first pitch. We knew that’s the only way we could get Pete here,” Bob Marcks, a longtime Clippers volunteer and board member, said with a chuckle.

Pete Butch said he was surprised when they called him out of the stands to receive the award.

Marcks said Pete Butch has offered his facilities, his equipment, his parking lot and advice for the team year after year.

“He really carried us through in some lean years. I just can’t say enough for what he’s done for us and our community,” said Marcks.

Pete Butch was humble about his contributions and the award.

“It was a wonderful surprise, and I certainly appreciate it, but the guys out on the field and the kids who play that wonderful sport are the ones deserving of it,” he said.

He gave credit to New London’s entire business community and residents for being supportive in so many community causes.

“It’s the volunteers, the coaches, the parents and the guys that give up their time. They all sacrifice a lot. People don’t understand how much they sacrifice to help their kids make it to the next level. In all sports and activities, the kids appreciate it the most,” Pete Butch said.

“The family, the friends, the faith, it’s all wrapped up around everything.”

As for his son, Brian Butch was an All-Star and McDonald’s All-American Basketball player at Appleton West High School. He went on to play for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he was an Academic All Big 10 athlete as well as First Team Big 10. He also represented the United States in the Pan American Games in 2011.

Brian Butch played professional basketball worldwide and spent time with the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He has also coached with the Wisconsin Herd G League basketball team.

Currently he co-hosts a sports radio show on Score 95.3 FM. He resides in Neenah with his wife and 6-month-old daughter.

Butch also helps put on more than 75 youth basketball camps throughout the upper Midwest during the summer months.

It was no surprise when Brian Butch delivered a perfect pitch right down the middle last Friday.

“It got there. That was my biggest concern,” Brian Butch said with a smile.

Although he is not a stranger to New London, he said it was his first time visiting Hatten Stadium.

“What a beautiful stadium it is. This is absolutely a gem,” he said.

“I appreciate Jim (Crain) reaching out and asking me to do it,” Brian Butch said. “It’s always fun to come back and be part of the community.”

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Bus driver roundup slated for July 27

By Angie Landsverk

The Weyauwega-Fremont School District is holding a bus driver roundup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the bus garage.

“It’s geared toward anyone,” said Don Lederhaus. “We will have hamburgers and brats for the people who participate.”

Lederhaus is the district’s transportation supervisor and safety coordinator.

The district has 10 bus routes.

“Ten go out in the a.m., and 10 go out in the p.m.,” he said.

He said bus drivers are considered regular, part-time school-term employees of the district.

The starting wage is $18.50 per hour, and drivers are guaranteed 90 minutes per route.

“So if they do an a.m. and a p.m., they are guaranteed three hours. Some routes may be a little longer,” Lederhaus said.

He said drivers are paid for three holidays and also receive 24 hours of paid time off, long-term disability and life insurance.

The district covers the cost of training for new drivers, as well as the cost for the test and physical.

The 2019-20 school year begins on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The district’s current pool of drivers includes subs, the district’s mechanic and Lederhaus.

“Three of those subs did not drive for us this year,” Lederhaus said. “One sub only drove one day per week.”

Bus driver shortage

When the district is short of drivers, Lederhaus and the mechanic take routes.

That happened throughout the past school year.

The district began the 2018-19 school year two drivers short.

By early January, it was down three drivers.

“A shortage comes when we don’t have enough drivers and then we have afternoon trips that leave before the end of the school day,” Lederhaus said.

For example, the spring sport season adds an extra three buses on some days, he said.

Spring field trips also increase the need for buses and drivers.

Due to a shortage of drivers last school year, there were times the district compressed bus routes in the afternoon.

“There were no other options,” Lederhaus said.

He is seeking bus drivers in a variety of ways.

That includes advertising and moving a bus to locations throughout the district.

In addition to this month’s bus driver roundup, Lederhaus also plans presentations during the upcoming open houses.

The bus garage is part of the district’s Weyauwega campus, on East Ann Street.

Lederhaus may be reached there at 920-867-8943.

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Architect says designated building could be sold, demolished

By Erik Buchinger

The Clintonville Public School District learned its options regarding the Rexford-Longfellow Elementary building’s historic designation.

The discussion was held during the school district’s facility planning and analysis committee meeting on July 8.

“There are a lot of myths out there about what that means,” said Jennifer Lehrke, principal architect and historic preservation consultant for Legacy Architecture in Sheboygan, said of historic designation. “Sometimes people think they can’t do anything to the building, and a lot of that isn’t true.”

The school was listed on the State Register and National Register of Historic Places following an effort led by Clintonville resident Mary-Beth Kuester.

Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School

Lehrke said projects on historical buildings require notifying the Wisconsin Historical Society.

“It is a negotiation,” Lehrke said. “If (the people at the Wisconsin Historical Society) propose something, you guys can counter, but at the end of the day they’re going to have a say in this.”

Lehrke said it would be possible to sell the building to developers given its current condition.

“The building has been very well maintained over the years,” Lehrke said. “The school district may decide they want to sell it, and there is a market for this. There are developers who come into communities all over the state of Wisconsin and take these old, historic school buildings and turn them into something else.”

Area historic schools in New London and Shawano were repurposed into other uses.

Developers looking to purchase these buildings look at the historic designation as a perk for tax purposes.

“I think you guys have a lot of strong options in front of you,” Lehrke said. “I just wanted to come out and say don’t think you can’t bulldoze it, don’t think you can’t sell it, don’t think it’s not reusable. The sky is the limit. You guys can really do what you want to do.”

Lehrke said it is possible to be delisted off the national listing, but it is a difficult process generally used for buildings in disrepair and ready for removal.

A $24.9 million referendum for the elementary building failed in the spring of 2016 in an attempt to raze the building for a new elementary school facility.

Lehrke said referendums are passing now at high rates compared to 10 years ago.

The next facility concept planning committee meeting will be held Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Clintonville Middle School library.

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Waupaca County will discuss whether to reopen it

By Scott Bellile

A community well on County Highway W near Manske Road closed last week due to high levels of arsenic found in the drinking water.

The flowing well in the town of Mukwa was tested and found to have arsenic levels near the Environmental Protection Agency’s health standard of 10 parts per billion, according to an advisory sign posted behind the well.

The well is tested annually for bacteria and nitrate but not arsenic.

“In 2017, the county was made aware by just someone who regularly drank water there that they took some tests and they found some elevated levels of arsenic,” Waupaca County Health Officer Jed Wohlt said.

Testing revealed arsenic levels of 8.9 parts per billion in 2017, Wohlt said.

Follow-up tests indicated 9.4 parts per billion in 2018 and 9.2 and 9.4 parts per billion this year.

Well users who tested the water themselves reported fluctuating arsenic levels between 9 and 10.5 parts per billion, Wohlt said.

The Highway Department posted the advisory sign two years ago after the high arsenic levels were discovered, Waupaca County Highway Commissioner Casey Beyersdorf said.

“It isn’t unsafe yet. It’s reaching (unsafe) levels, which it has (been approaching) since I’ve known about it,” said Beyersdorf, who started his job in 2016.

Water flows from the town of Mukwa’s community well, which is cordoned off by a safety barrier fence, on Thursday, July 11.
Scott Bellile photo

Wohlt said the county has three options for the well: abandon it, repair it or drill a new well that reaches past the arsenic zone.

The third option would be expensive and could force the flowing well to become pump-operated because drilling past the arsenic zone would change its water pressure, Wohlt said.

Beyersdorf said members of the Waupaca County Highway Committee have told him they are “adamant” about repairing the well because of how frequently people use it.

Committee Chairmen Bob Flease and William Jonely did not respond to a request for comment.

Beyersdorf added the well broke this past winter, so a citizen repaired it and informed the Public Health Department of what they did afterward.

A private citizen repairing a well creates public safety concerns, Beyersdorf said, because work pertaining to public drinking water should only be performed by a licensed plumber.

Hintzke Well Drilling Inc. is slated to work on the well to bring it up to code, but Wohlt said county officials will still discuss whether to keep or abandon the well. Wohlt did not offer a timeline for when that decision will be made.

County officials are not aware of any problems with arsenic contamination at another well in the town of Lind, Wohlt said.

According to the EPA, the naturally occurring element arsenic may be released into drinking water through the erosion of rocks and minerals.

Human activities such as agricultural applications, mining and smelting can also lead to arsenic contamination.

Long-term exposure to arsenic can increase people’s risk of developing high blood pressure, skin disorders, diabetes and cancer, Wohlt said.

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Andy Kolosso retires

By Scott Bellile

Hortonville High School has a new athletic and activities director.

Sam Englland comes from the Neenah Joint School District, where he was the assistant athletic director and a physical education teacher for the past year.

Prior to that, Englland taught and assisted the athletic program for five years at the Stoughton Area School District.

“I was looking for a position in administration, and the one in Hortonville opened up, and I heard a lot of good things about the school district from a lot of other teachers and coaches and figured I’d give it a shot to apply,” Englland said. “And (I) interviewed and was lucky enough to get the position and was pretty excited about it.”

Englland said he was drawn to HHS for its array of offerings: more than 20 sports, 40-plus clubs and a phenomenal music department.

In his role, Englland said he hopes to increase student and community involvement at events, strengthen collaboration between HHS students and younger students through outlets such as community service, and encourage students to build connections through their teams and clubs.

By participating in football, wrestling and baseball in high school, and wrestling in college, Englland said he has formed lifelong connections with teammates.

“A lot of them have benefited me in positive ways, and I’m hoping they’ll continue to benefit me,” Englland said of those bonds. “And hopefully kids see relationships through co-curriculars will help benefit them at some point in their lives as well.”

Englland has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a master’s in educational leadership and principal’s license from UW-Superior.

His wife, Tess, is an elementary teacher in Neenah. They have a 1-year-old son named Canaan.

Kolosso retires after nine years

Englland succeeds Andy Kolosso, who retired on June 30 after nine years as the HHS athletic director.

Kolosso said Englland will excel in his role because he brings to the job a fresh perspective and a passion for activities.

Hortonville’s coaches and teachers have inspired strong extra-curricular participation at HHS, Kolosso said.

“Over 80% of our kids participate in things, and I’m talking about activities across the board, and I think that’s a great statistic,” Kolosso said. “It shows how extra-curriculars and the coaches and the leaders of those things make an impact in young people’s lives.”

Kolosso began his career in law enforcement, earning a criminal justice degree at UW-Platteville and joining the New London Police Department in 1981 at the age of 24.

While working as a police officer, Kolosso helped coach the New London High School football team under Randy Marsh.

“He sort of swayed me and mentored me into the education field,” Kolosso said.

Kolosso built stronger relationships with the young men on the football field than the ones behind bars, so he switched to a career in education to get to know youth better.

While Kolosso worked for NLPD, he attended Lawrence University to attain a teaching certificate. He chose social studies because he had minored in political science and history.

“My passions were the Civil War and World War II,” Kolosso said. “I love those two things.”

Kolosso began teaching history and geography at NLHS in 1998. He remained there until 2010 when the athletic director position opened at HHS.

He enjoyed sports growing up, having participated in football, basketball and track while attending St. Mary Central High School in Menasha. He coached his alma mater’s freshman football team for a year in 1980.

As athletic director, Kolosso oversaw the school’s transition from the Bay Conference to the larger Fox Valley Association and helped plan last year’s athletic stadium renovation project, which included the installation of artificial turf.

Kolosso also head coached the Polar Bears football team to six playoff appearances and a Bay Conference title alongside his son, Tom. He retired from coaching after the 2015 season but recently returned to Tom’s team as an assistant coach.

In retirement, Kolosso plans to hunt, fish, and spend time with his wife Sue, children Tom and Katie and his three grandchildren.

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Driver cited

By Erik Buchinger

A one-vehicle rollover crash occurred on Staff Sergeant Warren Hansen Drive in Clintonville on Monday, July 15, around 3:30 p.m.

Police Chief Craig Freitag assisted on scene and said there were no injuries to report.

“A gentleman was pulling out of a business in the area and accelerated rather quickly,” Freitag said. “He lost control and rolled the vehicle.”

The Clintonville Police Department and Clintonville Fire Department arrived on scene.

In addition to vehicle damage, there was minor damage to a utility pole.

Two citations were issued for disorderly conduct with a motor vehicle and operating without insurance.

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Voice concerns over property values, erratic driving

By Scott Bellile

Town of Mukwa property owners shared concerns of decreasing property values and dangerous traffic during a public hearing about New London’s annexation of a 16-acre parcel where a subdivision could be built.

The New London City Council on July 9 unanimously approved annexing the privately owned Mukwa parcel west of New London High School between County Highway W and Klatt Road.

Landowner and developer Carl Romenesko plans to build a subdivision with more than 30 single- and multi-family residences.

During the public hearing, residents disagreed with Romenesko’s plan to include duplexes.

Klatt Road resident Kelly Polsin said the renter-occupied duplexes would not be kept in good shape like the owner-occupied single-family homes.

Henke

“Well I would have to disagree with you because we’ve got a number of duplexes already in town that are extremely well maintained by their owners, and they do take care of them and they make sure that the tenants keep the lawns picked up, they aren’t having cars parked all over the yard and various things like that,” Mayor Gary Henke replied.

Rocky Mountain Drive resident Carol Prill told the council “we all know what happens” when renters become part of a neighborhood.

Henke interrupted her mid-sentence and told her not to accuse low-income renters of being troublemakers.

“No, I never said that,” Prill said, adding she was going to say rental properties are poorly maintained and cause property values to drop for single-family homes.

Prill also spoke to safety, saying County W is notorious for speeders and tailgaters, and she worries the increased traffic to a new subdivision could put motorists and pedestrians at risk.

“It can get a little dangerous at times, especially when school’s out,” Prill said. “But I don’t want to blame the students. (Adults) drive just as bad.”

Pine Ridge Drive resident Voni Schuh said on weekday afternoons when classes let out at NLHS, students race west down Klatt Road to see who can get out of town first.

“Please consider the safety of not only us citizens but those kids too,” Schuh said.

Rebecca Rodriguez, owner of MS Driving Instruction in New London and a County W resident, predicted the subdivision would double traffic on Klatt Road.

“I feel Klatt Road is not big enough to have more traffic on it,” Rodriguez said. “I feel putting 30-some small houses in that little area would be unsafe.”

In this satellite image, the shaded area shows the town of Mukwa property Carl Romenesko owns where he proposes building a subdivision. Pictured to the right is New London High School’s athletic complex.
Image created using Google Maps

Henke said back when he taught at NLHS, the school made a temporary rule change so all vehicles except buses had to use the north parking lot exits to Klatt Road after school. He said this created the behavior today of students speeding down Klatt Road.

“There are a couple (curves) out there on the end of Jennings Street, that’s pretty dangerous, and there were several accidents out there just because (of) kids going too fast,” Henke said. “Yeah, we’re aware of the problem, and we will do what we can do to help solve it.”

Mukwa Town Chairman Jim Curns spoke on another matter, telling the council he had conversations with other municipalities and concluded property taxes will not pay back the $360,000 the city of New London will spend to extend water and sewer connections to Romenesko’s property “in a reasonable length of time.”

Curns also asked for stronger communication between New London and Mukwa officials during the property annexation process.

“When it came to actual notification about the process, we (Mukwa officials) were reading about it in the paper before that happened,” Curns said. “We should probably try to be on the same page a little bit more in the future.”

The New London Planning Commission will discuss the public feedback and review preliminary site layouts at a meeting Thursday, July 25, at 5 p.m. at New London City Hall.

People who did not attend the public hearing last week may submit written comments to City Clerk Jackie Beyer, 215 N. Shawano St., New London, WI 54961.

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Princess Leia was among the characters drawn on a white board at the Waupaca Area Public Library as part of its Star Wars Day. Angie Landsverk Photo

Activities celebrate classic sci-fi film

By Angie Landsverk

The Waupaca Area Public Library incorporated this year’s summer reading theme into an afternoon of activities.

It held Star Wars Day on Thursday, July 11.

“I think there’s been a definite buzz. People walk in and see something different going on,” said Teen Librarian Taylor Wilcox.

Members of the 501st Legion kicked off the day when they arrived and marched through the library.

The costuming organization attends fan-based charity events.

They volunteered at Star Wars Day in their stormtrooper costumes, interacting with youth and posing for numerous photos.

Wilcox knows one of the members.

It was his idea to have 501st Legion members visit the library.

“Then I thought, if we’re already getting the stormtroopers, why not make a day of it,” she said.

Universe of Stories

Griffin Pate checks out the slime he made at one of the Star Wars Day stations.
Angie Landsverk Photo

“A Universe of Stories” is this year’s summer library program theme.

The program runs through Aug. 30.

Wilcox and fellow staff members Patsy Servey and Molly Reinke began planning Star Wars Day more than a month ago.

They already knew local author John Jackson Miller was available to visit.

He has written several Star Wars novels and met with the teens as part of his July 11 talk at the library.

Stations were set up inside and outside the library for people of all ages.

Youth created Jabba the Hutt slime and trained to be a Jedi.

There was a photo booth inside the library and more activities in its lower level.

The day ended with a showing of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Donations received during Star War Days will benefit the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King’s library.

Because members of the 501st Legion volunteer when they attend events, they ask that a donation be made to an organization, Servey said.

Members of the library’s Student Library Advisory Group chose the veterans home library.

The donation will help develop its collection, she said.

Wilcox volunteered at library events in the past.

This was the first time she was involved in organizing one.

“There’s definitely a big amount of excitement, and it’s only going to get bigger,” she said.

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Event features tractor pulls, antique farm equipment, historic buildings

By Holly Neumann

The Symco Thresheree will take place Friday through Sunday, July 26-28, at the Union Thresheree Grounds.

The site is located at E6375 State Highway 22, Manawa.

“This is a great event,” said LuAnne Knuth, who helps with the organization. “It’s a way of preserving history and the camaraderie of the people over the years.”

The gates open at 7 a.m. Friday, July 26.

Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m., followed by the Minneapolis Moline tractor pull in the afternoon.

Entertainment will be provided by The Now, a Milwaukee rock band, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

On Saturday, the gates will open again at 7 a.m.

Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m., followed by weigh-in at 8:30 a.m. and the children’s pedal pull at 9:30 a.m.

An antique tractor pull will follow at 11 a.m.

Bingo will take place from 1:30-3 p.m., on the north end of the grounds.

A dance will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight, with music provided by Derek Joseph.

An adult pedal pull will be held at 9 p.m., at the Unionville Saloon.

On Sunday, July 28, there will be a church service at 7 a.m. at Unionville Church, breakfast from 7-9 a.m. and a parade at 11:30 a.m.

The Sawdust Symphony will entertain guests from 1-4 p.m.

Demonstrations in combining and thrashing grains, baling, rock crushing, plowing, silo filling and more will take place throughout the weekend. Basket weaving demonstrations will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be displays at the blacksmith shop, old log houses, the farm machinery museum, a quilt display at the church and wool spinners in the log cabin.

Visitors may also tour Unionville buildings, including a church, school, bank, fire and police station, saloon, tractor repair shop, barbershop, post office, print shop, blacksmith shop, general store, shoe shop, sawmill and water-powered feed mill.

Admission is $5 per day for adults.

There is no charge for children age 12 and under.

Veterans are admitted free with a valid ID.

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Futures Award honors Eveland’s community contributions

By Bert Lehman

Clintonville City Administrator Sharon Eveland was awarded the Futures Award by the Wisconsin City/County Managers Association.

Clintonville Mayor Richard Beggs presented the award to Eveland at the July 9 city council meeting.

Beggs told the council the WCMA’s awards honor individual achievement in local government management.

The award Eveland was nominated for and won, the Futures Award, is awarded to WCMA members who are in their first five years of local government management and made a significant impact on the profession or on their community.

Eveland was nominated for the award by the city manager of Platteville.

Beggs read to the council several items from Eveland’s nomination form, highlighting the following: “One particularly notable accomplishment was Sharon’s success in gaining council approval to implement paid maternity, parental and adoption leave. Her family-friendly work in this area has garnered national attention and makes Clintonville a leader in both the public and private sectors. It takes vision, leadership, and even courage to tackle such a progressive policy in a rural small-town community. Sharon has set an example for all WCMA members with her work in this area.”

Eveland told the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette, “What really touched me about receiving this award is that you can’t self-nominate. Somebody else has to nominate you.”

Only one person wins the annual Futures Award.

“It speaks volumes about the work that I’m doing and it’s very, very affirming to have my peers recognize the work that I’m doing,” Eveland said. “There are a lot of times that I feel that I struggle every day, and I worry sometimes that I’m not making the right decision, or I worry that I’m going to do something wrong. But having that recognition from that community, it’s really validated all the work that I’ve done. And it speaks well of the community. It’s not just a reflection of me, it’s a reflection on the city as well.”

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Homeless suspect in custody on a $100,000 cash bond

Erald C. Weigand, 21, Oshkosh, is charged with repeated sexual assault of the same child, second-degree sexual assault of a child and using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

Weigand allegedly communicated with a 13-year-old girl over Instagram and Snapchat.

According to the criminal complaint, he arranged a ride from Oshkosh to Waupaca to meet the girl on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 8.

He hid in the basement without the parents’ knowledge and allegedly had sexual intercourse with the girl multiple times.
He was arrested shortly after midnight on July 9.

Weigand, who is listed as homeless in court records, remains in Waupaca County jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child.

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Winchester Academy program at Trinity

Wozniak

Soprano Krista Wozniak will present “A Woman Like That” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca.

This is a venue change from the usual program site.

Sponsored by Winchester Academy, the program is free and open to the public.

Wozniak has chosen pieces that represent the female experience characterized through a woman’s voice. Some are by female composers, and some have lyrics written by or taken as quotes from women.

The music will consist of some familiar pieces and some new compositions, including an aria written specifically for her from the opera “Smashed: The Carrie Nation Story.”

Wozniak comes to Waupaca with extensive performing experience and she is an originator of “The Playground Opera” series, a program for third and fourth graders in New York City.

Winchester Academy program expenses are funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations.

Wozniak’s program is sponsored by John Gusmer.

For more information about Winchester Academy, go to winchesteracademywaupaca.org, follow the group on Facebook, or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or buergerlinden@gmail.com.

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Vandals hit restrooms at Partidge Lake

Fremont police officers are doing more patrols at Partridge Lake Beach due to ongoing issues with vandalism there this season.

The beach opened for the season on May 24.

Incidents began occurring there on May 26, said Village Clerk Michelle McClone.

Vandalism has occurred inside the restrooms.

A toilet was broken.

The area where the toilet paper is stored was broken into.

Toilets were plugged with toilet paper.

Soap and air fresheners have been taken.

Air fresheners were smashed and smeared on walls and ceilings.

Village officials believe the incidents are taking place in the evening.

The beach and park are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This is not the first time the village has had issues at the beach.

Two years ago, the village board discussed how to deal with youth being at the beach after hours.

It decided to have police officers place a chain across the entrance when the beach is closed.

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City adds $340,000 to fund balance

By Bert Lehman

Preliminary 2018 audit results for the city of Clintonville’s general fund show the city took in roughly $228,644 more in revenue than budgeted and spent $111,792 under budget.

That was the message Clintonville City Administrator Sharon Eveland shared with the Clintonville City Council at its July 9 meeting.

“We’re depositing approximately $340,000 into our fund balance,” Eveland said.

She added that all of the city’s utilities saw a net increase in fund balances.

Almost 50% of the city’s revenue in 2018 came from state aid.

The next highest source of revenue for the city was from property taxes, which comprised 27%.

When looking at general fund expenditures, general government went slightly over budget.

Protection of persons and property was roughly $10,000 under budget, which deals mostly with the budget for the Clintonville Police Department.

The Public Works Department and the Parks and Recreation Department were each under budget for 2018 expenditures.

The city’s current debt is a little over $6.9 million.

Eveland told the council the legal margin for new debt that the city could add is a little over $4.6 million.

“This is what I’m talking about when I have said numerous times that we don’t have the ability to borrow for a fire station, even if the council wanted to,” Eveland said. “We cannot legally borrow what it would likely cost us to build a new fire station.”

Following a recent facilities study, the city council has discussed replacing the current fire station or public works building.

During those discussions, Eveland stated the city cannot legally borrow the amount of money that would be required to construct either building. The 2018 audit confirmed that assessment.

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Mukwa designates new slow-no-wake areas

By John Faucher

The town of Mukwa designated two additional slow-no-wake areas on the Wolf River last week.

The areas include a sharp bend in the cut-off near the end of Cut-Off Road and a stretch of river near the mouth of the Mill Cut, also known as the Stone Dam.

Both areas involve sharp blind curves on narrow stretches of river. They were previously marked with caution buoys in the town’s ordinance.

On Aug. 7, 2018, several residents and property owners spoke at a public forum requesting a slow-no-wake for these areas due to ongoing safety concerns.

Dan Krueger, a property owner near the mouth of the Mill Cut, told board members the shoreline has changed drastically since the Stone Dam washed out.

Krueger said he personally has lost 27 feet of shoreline due to erosion.

Others present noted poor visibility and a high number of trees have fallen into the water on the curve.

Mike Schuelke, a resident who fishes in that area, said faster and larger boats have become prevalent on the river, adding to the danger of the situation.

He told board members he and Krueger had taken video footage of several “close calls” and gave eyewitness accounts.

Joe Swedesky, who owns property on the point at the end of Cut-Off Road, brought up similar concerns for the blind curve near his home. He offered to provide the town photos and video footage.

Kyla Werner, vice president of the Wolf River Preservation Association, said while the WRPA has long recognized the two areas as safety concerns, the association is neutral until a member municipality enacts an ordinance approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“We can order the buoys, equip, place them and remove them with the help of many members and volunteers, but I’m afraid that’s all we can do,” Werner said.

Board investigates safety issues

The board agreed to investigate the concerns at its Sept. 11, 2018 meeting.

There, Town Chairman Jim Curns reported a local DNR warden acknowledged the agency was aware of the issues and safety concerns.

The warden advised Curns that if the town changed its ordinance involving markings on the river it would need formal DNR approval.

Town Supervisor Lee Shaw reported he rode in a boat with property owners Swedesky and Krueger to get a firsthand view of the areas of concern. They also captured GPS coordinates for potential buoy placement.

The board unanimously approved proceeding with the legal process required by the DNR for an ordinance change.

The DNR approved the town’s application earlier this summer. The town board formally approved the ordinance change on July 9.

Town of Mukwa Raft Inspector Dave Rienert worked with volunteers from WRPA to place the new buoys July 11-12.

Neil Rhines, treasurer of the WRPA, said the seven new buoys and hardware cost around $1,200. The organization hoped to offset the costs through private donations made by the concerned residents.

The post Board addresses Wolf River safety concerns appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

Waupaca must update lake management plan for DNR grants

By Angie Landsverk

Eurasian Watermilfoil

The city of Waupaca wants to seek grants from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources to manage the aquatic invasive species in Mirror and Shadow lakes.

But the city needs to update its lake management plan first.

Its current plan dates back to 2012.

“We have had conversations before about going after grants. The DNR said without an updated lake management plan that takes care of AIS, we have no chance,” Andrew Whitman told the common council last month.

Curlyleaf pondweed

He is the city’s parks and recreation director.

Whitman contacted Onterra for a proposal.

The De Pere-based firm provides lake-related services, including lake management plans.

He said the firm is highly recommended and was also used to create Stratton Lake’s management plan.

Onterra’s cost estimate to complete a study and management plan is $28,439.

Its proposal includes preparing a grant application that – if received – would cover 67% of the plan’s cost.

“It’s all based on actually getting that grant,” Whitman said.

He said in-kind donations by Friends of Mirror and Shadow Lakes (FOMSL) would cover $2,724 of the cost.

FOMSL formed in 2003 through a lake study grant.

Its efforts center on the health of the two lakes.

Whitman said the cost for the city’s Inland Lakes Fund would be $6,660.

However, that is more than what will be left in the fund at the end of the current year, he said.

The Inland Lakes Fund’s cash balance was $3,074 as of June 30, according to Kathy Kasza, the city’s finance director/treasurer.

In August, Whitman plans to request funds from the Inland Lakes District to update the lake management plan and address the AIS in the lakes.

“After some research, I found that we started 2007 with $25,000 in the fund for the Inland Lakes District,” he wrote in a memo to the mayor and common council.

He said those funds lasted a long time due to FOMSL’s work and hours.

Carol Elvery is the group’s chairperson.

She told the council the fund has paid for two phosphorous studies and an aerator.

When a small infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Shadow Lake in 2011, the city worked with the DNR to arrange a herbicide treatment.

That cost just under $13,000, with a grant paying for part of it, Elvery said.

Invasive species increasing

The city is seeing an increase in aquatic invasive species (AIS) and algae in its two inland lakes.

Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed and zebra mussels have been found.

In 2014, Eurasian watermilfoil was found in two separate spots in Shadow Lake, Elvery said.

“We had to have certified divers pull it,” she told the council.

That summer, the city also began educating its lifeguard staff about AIS.

They were taught how to identify curly-leaf pondweed and pull it by hand out of the water.

Certified divers have pulled Eurasian watermilfoil out of the lake other years as well.

Three years ago, zebra mussels were found in Shadow Lake.

Last summer, several Eurasian watermilfoil plants were found in Mirror Lake for the first time, she said.

“The problem with having it in the lake is you will always have to practice management,” Elvery said.

AIS are plants or animals not native to a particular area.

They dominate an area when they are introduced, disrupting food chains and degrading habitats.

Whitman said FOMSL has spent a lot of time and effort keeping the two lakes healthy.

“We have been working with FOMSL to continually figure out the best ways to care for the lakes,” he said. “Mirrow and Shadow lakes are a vital part of our community as they hold our South Park Beach, two shelters, two boat landings and two fishing piers.”

The group supports updating the lake management plan.

“Nature is never static and our lakes have changed since the 2012 management plan was approved. We receive more complaints of an increase in the presence of algae,” Elvery wrote in a letter to the mayor and common council.

She noted the AIS have expanded into Mirror Lake and the channel between the two lakes.

“We in the Friends of Mirror Shadow Lakes have reached the edge of our knowledge and ability to protect our lakes,” Elvery wrote. “We remain firmly convinced that the city needs her lakes to continue to draw people to Waupaca and the area if the ambitious plans for the future of the city are to succeed.”

The post Invasive species in city lakes appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

Recent convictions, sentencings and dismissals from Waupaca County felony cases:

• Judge Vicki Clussman sentenced Daniel O. Stuebs, 44, Weyauwega, to four years in state prison and three years of extended supervision.

Stuebs was convicted of possession of heroin with intent to deliver.

Clussman also revoked Stuebs’ probation for 2018 convictions of cocaine and narcotics possession. She sentenced him to 18 months in prison to be served concurrently with his heroin sentence.

• Clussman sentenced Steven D. Franklin, 33, Appleton, to five years in state prison and five years of extended supervision.

Franklin was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm. Three counts of threatening an officer, and one count each of resisting an officer and spitting at an officer were dismissed but read into the court record for sentencing purposes.

• Judge Troy Nielsen sentenced Lucas M. Steele, 32, Summit Lake, to five years in prison and five years of extended supervision.

Steele was convicted of child enticement – sexual contact.

Charges of possession of child pornography and felony marijuana possession were dismissed but read into the record.

• Judge Raymond Huber sentenced David R. Thurber, 38, New Lisbon Correctional, to four years in prison and four years of extended supervision.

Thurber was convicted of possession of child pornography, attempted child enticement and battery. Charges of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, exposing genitals to a child and obstructing an officer were dismissed but read into the court record.

Thurber is already residing in prison for a Winnebago County narcotics conviction and an Outagamie County felony marijuana conviction. His probation on these convictions was revoked after his arrest in Waupaca County last year.

• Nielsen sentenced Deneil B. Smith, 54, Ogdensburg, to two years in prison and three years of extended supervision for a fifth OWI and 345 days in prison for a fourth OWI. The two terms are to be served consecutively.

Smith must also pay $4,651 in fines and court costs for each offense, and her license is revoked for 36 months while on extended supervision.

• Clussman sentenced Michael D. Dayton, 59, Wisconsin Rapids, to three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.

Dayton was convicted of a seventh OWI. Charges of failure to install an ignition interlock device, operating after revocation and misdemeanor bail jumping were dismissed but read into the record.

Clussman also revoked Dayton’s license, ordered him to install an IID for 36 months, and assessed him $1,003 in fines and court costs.

• Nielsen imposed and stayed six months in jail, then placed Brian T. Hartman, 37, Rosholt, on two years of probation.

Hartman was convicted of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing an officer.

A felony charge of possession of heroin with intent to deliver was dismissed but read into the record.

• Nielsen placed Antuan Kadeem Klepps, 28, Marion, on two years of probation.

Klepps was convicted of felony possession of narcotics. Misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia were dismissed but read into the record.

• Huber placed Ilysha M. Bishop, 31, Tomahawk, on three years of probation.

Bishop was convicted of possession of narcotics. Charges of bail jumping, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were dismissed but read into the record.

• Clussman assessed Michael S. Tody, 34, Clintonville, $1,412 in fines and court costs.

Tody was convicted of felony marijuana possession and misdemeanor bail jumping.

• Huber placed Jonathan L. Williamson, 30, New London, on three years of probation.

Williamson was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor bail jumping.

Charges of misdemeanor battery and felony bail jumping were dismissed but read into the record.

Conditions of Williamson’s probation include 180 days in jail with 90 days stayed and an assessment of $1,404.

• Nielsen imposed then stayed nine months in jail and placed Misael Bazan, 25, New London, on two years of probation.

Bazan was convicted of battery and disorderly conduct as acts of domestic abuse, and obstructing an officer.

A felony charge of strangulation was dismissed but read into the record.

As conditions of Bazan’s probation, Nielsen sentenced him to 180 days in jail, then stayed 90 days to be used at the probation agent’s discretion. Bazan must also pay $1,570 in court costs.

• Nielsen placed Christopher L. Klevin, 38, Waupaca, on three years of probation.

Kleven was convicted of third-degree sexual assault.

Nielsen stayed 120 days in jail to be used at the agent’s discretion.

• Clussman imposed and stayed one year in jail and placed Demerray J. Gilliam, 34, Waupaca, on two years of probation.

Gilliam was convicted of burglary and felony bail jumping.

Charges of criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, attempted strangulation and disorderly conduct were dismissed but read into the record.

Clussman also ordered Gilliam to pay $2,584 in restitution and court costs.

• Huber placed Allen J. McQuade, 40, Arbor Vitae, on three years of probation.

McQuade was convicted of possession of narcotics.

• Huber placed Brian A. Ross, 41, Greendale, on three years of probation.

Ross was convicted of possession of narcotics. A charge of possession of methamphetamine was dismissed but read into the record.

Huber also stayed 90 days in jail to be used at the agent’s discretion.

The post Criminal sentencing appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

Betty Lorraine Alleman (nee Menzel), 97, of Amherst, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 7, 2019.

Betty was born on April 18, 1922 in Park Falls, Wisconsin, where through her early years she lived a North Woods kind of life. Betty was the third of six children of Carl W. Menzel and Alice R. Menzel (nee Bruce). The Bruce family arrived in America from Scotland in the 17th century with Betty and her mother becoming members of the Daughters of the American Revolution based on the service of their ancestor James Bruce. After her junior year of high school, Betty and family moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, following her father’s job as a railroad engineer for the Soo Line Railroad. Immediately after high school, she held clerical jobs in Stevens Point while finding fun and excitement with such activities as winning dance contests at the Indian Crossing Casino and swimming across Columbia Lake on a dare. In 1944, Betty joined the Women’s Army Corps. Trained as a skilled Army stenographer, she traveled to the European Theater by troop ship where she was assigned to train local German clerical staff in Frankfurt, Germany. Betty was honorably discharged at the rank of Tech Corporal in 1946.

On returning to Stevens Point, she became the first woman to receive her pilot’s license at the local airport. It was hanging out at the airport that Betty met her husband, recently returned P-38/P-80 pilot Jack Alleman, by asking him if he wanted a ride in an airplane. A couple months later, Betty and Jack flew in a borrowed airplane to elope in Kansas City. After selecting a destination by throwing a dart at a US map, the two of them settled on Boulder, Colorado where their first son, John, Jr., was born. When Jack was called to active duty during the Korean War, Betty was socially active taking community leadership roles, chairing Officers’ Wives’ Clubs, Welcome Wagon, and bridge clubs on the 9 different bases that Jack was posted to between 1950 and 1967. Betty and Jack’s second son, Karl, was born on their penultimate assignment as an active duty US Air Force family in Altus, Oklahoma. After Jack retired from the Air Force, Betty and Jack built the home they would live in for 43 years in the countryside between Amherst and Waupaca, Wisconsin. Betty raised horses, grew Christmas trees, and managed rental properties, while still finding time to be an outstanding cook, champion bridge player, avid gardener, and aspiring golfer. She won two bouts with cancer during this time, demonstrating her incredible fighting spirit. When Jack passed away from illness, Betty moved to Naperville, Illinois to be near her two sons and their families as she recovered from a stroke. She was a well-known and beloved member of her assisted living community where she enjoyed a happy, active life for her last 9 years. Betty will be remembered by her family and friends as a bright, witty, classy, glamorous, determined, positive, and loving wife and mother. She and Jack were married for over 63 wonderful years, traveling the world and particularly enjoying their many trips to the beaches of Puerto Rico and the wilderness of Alaska. Her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she reveled in their achievements and potential.

She is survived by her sons, John, Jr. (Loredana) and Karl (Kathleen), her grandchildren, Matteo, Zachary, Jacob, and Karleen, her sister, Vera Eichstaedt, and her brothers, Bruce Menzel and Gerald “Jerry” Menzel. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. “Jack” Alleman, her father, Carl Menzel, her mother, Alice Menzel, her brother, Harold “Bud” Menzel, and her sister, Jane Burgess.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Stroke Association. Interment will be at Badger Cemetery in Lanark Township, Wisconsin (south of Hwy 54 on County Rd D), where a burial service with military honors will be held on July 27 at 4 p.m. A.J. Holly & Sons of Waupaca is assisting the family.

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Vilas Spiegelberg, a long-time resident of the Manawa area, died Tuesday, July 16, at Manawa Community Nursing Center.

Born April 4, 1930 in Dale, WI, son of the late Arnold and Laura (Beckman) Spiegelberg, Vilas moved with his parents and siblings to Manawa, WI in 1940 where his family farmed in the vicinity of Bear Lake. Vilas remained on the family farm after the death of his father, Arnold in November of 1972, helping care for his mother Laura while tending to the farmland which he acquired. Vilas attended Little Wolf High School in Manawa, graduating with the Class of 1948. He was a devout member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manawa. Vilas enjoyed riding his motorcycle in his younger years and tinkering with mechanics. He had the gift of gab with many interesting stories to share with relatives, friends and the people he would meet.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Carol (Lyle) Spiegelberg, Ogdensburg, WI; nieces and nephews, Jane (Steve) Plamann, Appleton, WI; Steve Spiegelberg, Manawa, WI; James (Acela) Spiegelberg, Flower Mound, TX; Laura (Dan) Wood, Mukwonago, WI; Ellen (Greg) Metko, Ironwood, MI; Jeff (Kris) Roth, Manawa WI; Gary (Nancy) Roth, Manawa, WI; Warren Roth, Menasha, WI and a host of grand-nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in law Ray and Elaine Spiegelberg, Manawa, WI; his brother Lyle (Carol) Spiegelberg, Ogdensburg, WI; his sister and brother-in-law Doris and Sam Roth, Neenah, WI and his niece Rosanne Spiegelberg, Appleton, WI.

A special thank you to the staff at Manawa Community Nursing Center for their compassion and care for Vilas during his stay. Also, much appreciation is extended to the neighbors, friends, relatives and special services that helped Vilas when needed.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 5th, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manawa. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Friends and family are welcome. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 742 Depot St., Manawa, WI 54949. The Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa is serving the family. www.clinehansondahlkefuneralhomes.com

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Eugene Robert Fitzgerald, 91, of Sun City West, Arizona died peacefully at his home with family members near on July 14, 2019.

He was born November 25, 1927 to John Fitzgerald and Grace Carew Fitzgerald in New London, Wisconsin. He served in the US Navy as an Air Traffic Controller from December of 1945 until his honorable discharge in October of 1947. After serving he attended Marquette University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree. He was the loving husband of Betty Jane Paul Fitzgerald for over sixty years until her death in 2012. Gene was a plant manager for numerous printing and packaging corporations during his career at many locations including Wisconsin, Australia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and California. An avid golfer, Gene played weekly rounds with life long friends at Via Verde Country Club for over thirty years. He was a steadfast fan of the Chicago Cubs through countless “There’s always next year” seasons and wore Green Bay Packers green and gold until his final day.

Gene is survived by his sons, David (Donna) Fitzgerald and Robert (Julie) Fitzgerald; sisters, Betty (Hubert) Shulke and Margie (Wayne) Bricco and grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Richard) Morales, Brennah Fitzgerald, Danielle Fitzgerald, Robert Fitzgerald, Kennedy Fitzgerald, Griffith Fitzgerald, and Tabitha Fitzgerald. He is preceded in death by his wife Betty Jane Paul Fitzgerald, infant son, brothers, Jack Fitzgerald, James Fitzgerald and Greg Fitzgerald and sister Rosemary (Robert) Vandenberg.

A private family service was held. Burial is in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bear Creek. The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family.

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